Cyanotype Making Workshop
The Konnektiv day started when Merv and Lauren joined Sam, the backdrop artist, going and experimenting with using a technique known as cyanotype, on Doxey Marshes. They used objects that they found and took along and the technique used sunlight to dye exposed bits of cloth, while the objects covers some parts, meaning they don't get dyed, the result is a beautiful two tone effect of indigo blue with shapes suggesting of themes and ideas. 
Sadly I don't have any of the finished products to show, but I will get some on at a later date, when I get hold of some. The idea is that the three backdrops will made of cyanotype, but each one having a very different dynamic, which will be achieved on some by adding different colours, or by using different materials. 
The backdrops will be in the form of hangings, so it will be interesting finding different ways to suspend them depending upon where the performances take place.
One Minute Production of 3 Japanese Fairy Tales
This is something I am doing every week - to facilitate an appreciation of the difference of dynamic in each Fairy Tale. I go on about this a lot, but I just think that if each of the stories is not given a very different dynamic, the audience may get a bit bored, as they will have roughly the same experience three times over. However if we really emphasise, for instance, the power and control, and explosive energy of the Thunder Gods, the dark, ghostly tragedy of Urashima, and the lively colourful humour of the Badger Kettle, then the audience may be not just entertained, but transfixed, all the way through. This will be quite a challenge for people who are in two or maybe even three different stories. In turn, the actors got into a position, and said a word, with as much dramatic emphasis as possible, that conveyed the spirit of what they were doing, then, as a group, they bowed and came back into the audience chairs. Each story was done in turn.
Complicite
This one is a preparation for bouffon work. And one we have done before. The group walk around, then, led by one person, form a picture. It was more difficult this time than before for the group to do this without thinking, and I don't know if it would have helped if I had started with a simpler game, like the stop start game. The bouffons, being very naughty, played a trick on me. Because I told them they should look at the audience when they get into their sculpt, they formed a sculpt right at the back of the room in which they stared very interestedly at the front page of a presentation board pad. 
Later in the game the group started to get closer to the audience and do something that is very typical of bouffons - to get into the audience members personal space, to become very interested in one member of the audience, and in return, the audience member is very uncomfortable, and finds themselves laughing. 
Other audience members, also laugh, but for more sadistic reasons, at the discomfort of the targetted person, and perhaps a little relief that they didn't get picked - or fear (or hope?) that their turn is next. In this picture, the bouffons target the unsuspecting artist for their attention.
Brainstorming the Backdrops
Sam provided the group with paper and different coloured pens pencils and chalks. She also gave some examples of stencil designs that she had taken from pictures found on the internet. The group spent some time making pictures of ideas for each different backdrop. 
We looked at the finished designs, at immediately got an impression of the different dynamic that had been formed from the collective artistic offerings of the group, for each story.
The Good Thunder - clouds, thunder and lightning, explosive and powerful.
Urashima - Dark, Ghostly, Tragic
Badger Kettle - lively, comic, colourful
